Named in honor of an Indian tribe, the members of which represented its earliest residents, Cheyenne, Wyoming, was established in 1867 during the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. Cheyenne was a stop on the railroad's journey to the far Western states and the Pacific coastline. The city would soon make a name for itself in the livestock industry, and its population grew quickly, establishing a rich local culture and eventually developing more industries.

Now, in the 21st century, Cheyenne has emerged as one of the American West's great cities. The capital of Wyoming, Cheyenne boasts a thriving economy supported by several sectors: among them retail, manufacturing, health-care and government. Take a look at Cheyenne's geographic characteristics, and you'll discover that the maintenance of such a strong local economy is notable considering that Cheyenne is far-removed from larger major cities. Unlike many small cities, which often owe some of their success to their proximity to a major metropolis, Cheyenne, with approximately 55,000 residents, is 100 miles from Denver and more than 400 miles from Salt Lake City. Phoenix and Chicago are both more than 900 miles away. And that distance is precisely part of Cheyenne's charm. This city has a particularly high quality of life. Residents enjoy such advantages as clean, cool and crisp air; an excellent public school system, a low cost of living (3 percent below the national average, according to figures provided by the American Chambers of Commerce Researchers Association), low taxes, low crime and roads uncluttered by excessive traffic - not to mention a climate that defies our national expectations of life on the Western high plains.

If the mere mention of Cheyenne conjures up images of snowbound residents in your mind, you may be surprised to learn that the average high temperature in January is 38 degrees (that's above zero, not below it); and the average low temperature in January is 15 degrees. The average daytime high temperature in July is 82 degrees, and the average low temperature in July is 55 degrees. The city's average annual cumulative snowfall stands at approximately 52 inches - generous, but not enough to keep residents snowbound and in hibernation all winter long.

From the perspective of newcomers, one big draw to Cheyenne is the tax benefits its residents enjoy by virtue of being Wyoming residents. Residents of Cheyenne pay no state or local income tax. Nor do they pay state or local corporate income tax, or state/local inventory tax.

July 2000 statistics provided by the Cheyenne Board of Realtors support the city's reputation as an affordable place to live. That month (July 1-31, 2000), the average listing price of a single-family home was $118,150. The average selling price during the same month was $115,253. That's a considerable increase from January 1, 2000 to July 1, 2000, for which the average listing price of a single-family home was $112,072, and the average selling price was $109,387.

Within its public school system, which already has been recognized nationally for its performance, Cheyenne has been working to increase its per-pupil expenditure. And despite its relatively small size, Cheyenne has several institutions of higher learning either within city limits or within reasonable distance. Among them are the University of Wyoming at Laramie, located 45 miles from Cheyenne; Laramie County Community College; and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

A visit to Cheyenne simply can't be experienced without immersing oneself in local history. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum & Store contains one of the nation's most best collections of Old West wagons, along with an extensive collection of Old West memorabilia. The F.E. Warren Museum, located at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, traces the history of Fort D.A. Russell, the presence of which made a significant contribution to the growth of Cheyenne. To experience a taste of life during the "outlaw era," head to the Nelson Museum of the West, filled with historic weapons and other relics of the days when playing "cowboys and Indians" was more than just a game. At Holliday Park, you'll find the "Big Boy" Steam Engine, retired by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1956, and the largest steam engine in the world. And if you're a city slicker whose closest contact with cattle has been a drive-through hamburger, it's worth the short hop to Wyoming Hereford Ranch, located east of Cheyenne. Established during the late 19th century, Wyoming Hereford Ranch is revered throughout the American West for its cattle.

If you're looking for a little audience participation - and you're lucky enough to be visiting Cheyenne in July - don't miss Cheyenne Frontier Days, during which the world's largest outdoor rodeo takes place. That's just the beginning of a week's worth of live entertainment, music and plenty of eats (a series of free pancake breakfasts is among the perks). Not for the fainthearted, the Cheyenne Gunslinger Gunfights take place in the summer, as well. This reenactment of Wild West life brings those legendary gunfights back to life in vivid style.

All of this history doesn't imply that Cheyenne doesn't encourage the development of modern culture, too. Indeed, the city presents live musical and theater performances year-round at Cheyenne Civic Center, home base for the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra. Smaller theatrical organizations are also in the area.

It's that mix of new and old that has created such a unique lifestyle in Cheyenne. With so many quality of life factors in its favor, it's likely that as we head further into the 21st century, we'll experience another Western migration in the direction of Cheyenne.

Published: October 30, 2000

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